The View from Charlotte...

[Masterofreality]

....is rainy. But at least there's no white death down here.

I've been pleasantly surprised to see that there is some hype about this game down here. The sports talk station down here, 610am "The Franchise", has all local sports talk and there was quite a bit of comment about the game tonight. They were drawing the comparison to the old Charlotte/UC or Charlotte/Marquette games. The commentators have talked repeatedly about how this will be the highest ranked team to come into Halton this year and that Charlotte is keying on this game to add to their win over Clemson to make a case to the Committee. The Charlotte radio station down here that carries the game is 610's sister station- 1660am. I don't know a link.

Tons of College Basketball talk on the radio down here which is not surprising since this is big ACC country. There was even a lot of hopeful speculation that Sean Miller may want to go to South Carolina to replace Dave Odom. (He won't) The commentator, "Pac Man" last night said that Sean wouldn't go because Xavier "had it going on and it would be a step down for Miller".

Bobby Lutz is on the morning show here in a few minutes. It'll be interesting to hear his take. Yesterday, he was defending his comments about how some "idiot fans" needed to get off of Leemire Goldwire- especially after his 39 point performance vs the Bonaheads. Some fans were offended.

I'm glad that Charlotte is in the league. They are a nice addition and have good fans. Their message board is http://www.ninernation.net Civil fans, not much smack talk. A lot of commentary about Phil Martelli's post game stuff about Stanley.

I have a good feeling about this game tonight. I like our matchups- especially Stanley guarding Goldwire. We have more size and, for once, Drew Lavender will be guarding a guy who is the same size as he is. Unless Charlotte stands on their collective heads and shoots 70% from 3 land while falling out of bounds like Temple did, I like our chances in this game.

Xavier fan Pre-game at Buffalo Wild Wings on McCullough near the arena at 5:30pm. Should be fun.

[bourbonman]

MOR, I wish I was still there. I flew down for business Monday night but returned last night due to meetings today. Should be a goos game and a great test for X. Hope they can win this tough road test.

[Masterofreality]

Lutz is on the radio right now and this is about a 10 minute interview. He thinks XU is a legitimate Top 10 team. He calls Drew Lavender the key to the team. Xavier's balance is very tough to defend. He says that his team is really excited to play tonight and says it's a huge impact and opportunity game.
He says they will bring it hard tonight.

Lutz also said that he thinks that St. Joes is the second best team in the league and Rhode Island right after them.

As always, Xavier will get Charlotte's best shot tonight.

Jay Bilas is on this radio show later.

[XU84]

Should be a great game. Too bad its only on the radio.

[Masterofreality]

Update. Jay Bilas on 610am:

He calls Xavier a legitimate Top 10 team. He cited the victory over Indiana and how deep the team is. He says that they have no "marquee names" that jump out at you but that they play great as a group and really defend. He says that there is nobody in the country that Xavier cannot beat. Well, well. Maybe he was just trying to pimp the game tonight, but good stuff.

He also said that the RPI is a joke, then actually used the ACC as the example as to why it is. He said that there are no more than 4 deserving teams in that league and no way is it the best conference even though it is the top ranked league via RPI.

It is refreshing to hear so much college basketball talk on the radio, rather than NBA or NFL.

Jay Bilas is now getting back in my good graces.

One last thing. They are expecting a crowd of about 8,000-8,500, not quite a sellout. The Bobcats also play here tonight.

[Wisexuowl]

Mike Bobinski needsto add MOR to the "advance" travel team so that we can be provided with reports like these the day of all road games.

I'm sure MOR will accept ... especially to places like Arizona, but will he be up to Olean NY in the winter... then again, he lives in Cleveland.

Thanks MOR .. good stuff.

[X-man]

Thanks for the info, MOR. It would be interesting if Bilas took his take on the RPI and applied it to the Big Least. To anyone who sees any of their games, it's clear that the league is WAAAAY over-rated. There are several very good teams including UConn, ND, and Louisville, but the jury is seriously out on G-town, Marquette, and Pitt. And the idea that WVa, Syracuse, or Villanova are tourney-worthy is ludicrous. Yet ESPN's analysts continue to talk about the Big Least as the strongest league warranting as many as NINE teams in the Dance. And what is their evidence to support this claim...the RPI and SOS (driven by the same flawed formula used by the RPI) of course.

[Masterofreality]

Thanks for the info, MOR. It would be interesting if Bilas took his take on the RPI and applied it to the Big Least. To anyone who sees any of their games, it's clear that the league is WAAAAY over-rated. There are several very good teams including UConn, ND, and Louisville, but the jury is seriously out on G-town, Marquette, and Pitt. And the idea that WVa, Syracuse, or Villanova are tourney-worthy is ludicrous. Yet ESPN's analysts continue to talk about the Big Least as the strongest league warranting as many as NINE teams in the Dance. And what is their evidence to support this claim...the RPI and SOS (driven by the same flawed formula used by the RPI) of course.

ESPN has a huge contract with the Big Greased to show all of their games. No way would he diss that league.

[muskieman]

I am happy to see MOR's report. Too bad it(the game) is not on TV because he could repay me for the free advertisement I give him at the Cintas games. MOR is always welcome as MM traveling reporter and I will offer up as an incentive half of my mm salary and I am sure Gary will give him half of his.

Too bad you don't have access to the board during the game for a second opinion of the play.

[X-man]

I'm well aware of ESPN's contractual arrangement with the Big Least, MOR. That's how I get to see so many of their games, and why I too don't expect Bilas to use the same logic on that league. It's too bad though, and very hypocritical of ESPN.